diff --git a/bridge/telegram/telegram.go b/bridge/telegram/telegram.go
index ee7309ed..93ccb2f4 100644
--- a/bridge/telegram/telegram.go
+++ b/bridge/telegram/telegram.go
@@ -154,11 +154,11 @@ func (b *Btelegram) handleRecv(updates <-chan tgbotapi.Update) {
 
 		// set the ID's from the channel or group message
 		rmsg.ID = strconv.Itoa(message.MessageID)
-		rmsg.UserID = strconv.Itoa(message.From.ID)
 		rmsg.Channel = strconv.FormatInt(message.Chat.ID, 10)
 
 		// handle username
 		if message.From != nil {
+			rmsg.UserID = strconv.Itoa(message.From.ID)
 			if b.GetBool("UseFirstName") {
 				rmsg.Username = message.From.FirstName
 			}